Day and night sign.



A. E. MAIDEN, C. SCHINDLER ISL W. NEWHOUSE.

DAY AND NIGHT SIGN. APPLICATION FILED FEB.16| I914.

Patented Aug. 20, 1918.

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DAY AND NIGHT smu. APPLICATION FILED FEB- l6| 19M.

Patented Aug. 20, 1918.

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RPFLICATION man FEB. 16. 1914. 1,276,091. Patented Aug. 20, 1918.

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DAY AND NIGHT SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 16. I914.

1,276,091. Patented Aug. 20, 1918.

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Illllllilll VVI'INESSES: ,6 j-NV'EN'POR w aram M M BY ATTORNEY lTESDSTATES it j ARTHUR E. MAIDEN AND CARL SUHINDLER, OF (JAKLANI), ANDWILLIAM 1). NEW HOUSE, OF SAN FRANCISCO, QAIJIFOB NIA.

DAY AND NIGHT SIGN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 20, 1918.

Application filed February 16, 1914. Serial No. 818,941.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ARTHUR E. MAIDEN and CARL SGHINDLER, both ofOakland, California, and WILLIAM D. Nnwr-iousn, of the city and countyof San Francisco, Califor nia, all citizens of United States, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Day and Night Signs, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for displaying signs, signals andother appro priate matter, and has particular reference to a sign-boarduseful with equal facility both day and night.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sign-board oradvertising apparatus involving means for readily and effectivelydisplaying for any length of time a great variety of letters, words,sentences, pictures, and in fact any suitable display character. It is afurther object of the present invention to provide a sign or displayapparatus involving a panel or panels in which are mounted a pluralityof disappearin sheets or curtains; and to provide means whereby thesheets or curtains are rendered semi-automatic, and whereby they aremechanically exposed or drawn into view. Another object of the inventionis to provide a sign or advertising apparatus involving panels, eachincluding a multiplicity of display sheets, cards or curtains,mechanically operated, to be drawn into View and automaticallyretracted, with means controllin an electric illuminating system wherebythe/device is rendered plainly visible and of SGIYlCG at night. Afurther object of the invention is to provide an advertising orsignboard apparatus involving the combination of a plurality of board.sections which may be designated hereinafter as panels, each embodying aplurality of appropriately featured sheets or curtains; means beingprovided for mechanically drawing said curtains into an exposedposition, and which means are controlled by an electric wiring system,whereby in any given panel each and any of its curtains may bemechanically drawn into visible position through a 1nanually controlledselecting mechanism or keyboard. Another object of the invention is toprovide further for the automatic selection of any of the curtains ordisplay sheets in a given panel or board section; and to pro n de meansfor automatically simultaneously actuating the curtain exposingmechanism of a plurality of the sign-board panels or sections whereby acomplete change of the subject-matter displayed by the combinationsheets of a multiplicity of the panels can be produced. Other objects ofthe invention will be made apparent in the following specification.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction and combinationof parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, havinreference to the accon1panying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a verticalsection through a single panel or unit of a sign board disclosingdiagrammatically a key circuit for one display sheet.

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section through a single section or unitof the signboard and discloses diagrammatically the illun'iinationcircuit and spacing or blank key circuit.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of an automatically and electrically controlledcurtain release device.

Fig. 4 is a perspective detail showing one of the circuit breakersoperative by its re spective curtain.

Fig. shows a detail of an automatic spring roller and its bearings.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view partly in side elevation showing thema netically controlled pulley clutches.

Fig. 7 is a transverse section through the clutch. shaft.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the wiring for controllingthe operation of sheets or curtains in any given panel; and forcontrolling automatically the sheets of any given panel; and also fercoi'itrolling simultaneously in predetermined relation a multiplicity ofsheets in any desired number of panels.

Fig. 9 is a chart of displays.

Fig. 10 shows a modified wiring system.

In Figs. 1 and 2 there is shown a casing or box structure 2, which mayform a unit of a sign-board, which board may include as many of theunits as is desired. Within the casing :2 and at the upperportionthereof there are mounted in suitable relation, a

plurality of sheets or curtains 3 which are here shown as connected toautomatic rollers 4, shown in detail in Fig. 5; one end of each rollerbeing turnably journaled as at 6, and the opposite or stem-winding end 7being engaged in a rectangular recess 8, holding it against rotation;the rectangular opening being contiguous to and ii-itersecting a roundedaperture 9, into which the stem end 7 of each roller may be elevated bythe operator, whereby with the application of a suitable key the springroller 4 may be properly tensioned.

, The sheets or curtains 3 preferably are of a sufficient width toextend substantially from one side of a box or casing 2 to the other;the lower end of each curtain being provided with a selvage bar orstiffener 10 which acts as a guide bar, the ends thereof operating inrespective guide-ways 11; the several guide-ways being disposed in closeparallel position so that the distance from the foremost curtain 3 inthe front of the casing 2 to the rear will be as small as iscommensurate with practical construction When the spring rollers 4 withtheir respective curtains 3 are mounted in the journals 67, and properlytensioned, the urtains will be normally wound to concealed positionbehind the open front of its respective box or casing, and for thepurpose of unwinding and drawing down any of the curtains to exposedposition in the casing, they are each provided with a pulley cord 12formed with a bight 13, which is freely slidable through the selvage baror stiffener 10; being guided at the lower side corners of the casing 2around suitably fixed guides 14 from beneath which at one side the endsof the pulley cord 12 extend outwardly and are connected to a windingdrum or sheave 15, of which there is one for each sheet or curtain 3.

The several winding drums or sheaves 15 are loosely mounted upon ahollow shaft 16 through which extends concentrically a driving shaft 17the ends of which are mounted in appropriate bearings 18, one of whichis shown in Fig. 6. The pulley wheels or drums 15 are appropriatelyspaced and free of each other along the tubular shaft 16, and the hub ofeach is provided with an aperture 19 registering with apertures 19 inshaft 16, Fig. 7, into which registering apertures may be projected acoiiperative clutch arm 20 of a lever 21 which is loosely mounted in asuitable bearing, here shown as a tube 22 mounted between the outerhollow shaft 16 and the inner shaft 17. At the opposite end of theclutch lever 21 is formed an upstanding arm which projects radially fromits respective bearing 22 into the chamber of a hollow driving pulley24, ever the face of which runs a belt 25 driven by a suitable motor 26.

When the motor is energized it is understood that the hollow pulleywheel 24 will be rotated and this in turn will drive the shaft 17 uponwhich the outer tubular shaft 16 is secured, but since each of thepulleys 15 is loose on the outer shaft 16 and is connected to itsrespective tensioned pulley cord 12 and the latter is attached to itsrespective curtain 3, the resistance of the winding roller 4 of thecurtain will overcome the tendency of the loose pulleys 15 to rotate.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide areliable, effective and yet safe means for connecting the loose pulleys15 to the shaft 16 when it is desired to pull down or expose one of thecurtains 3 in the panel or box 2, and it is for that purpose that therocker levers 21, of which there is one for each curtain 3 mounted inand spaced longitudinally and circumferentially around the driver shaft17 and within the outer hollow shaft 16. Normally the clutch faces orarms 20 of the levers 21 are thrown inwardly and thus clear theapertures 19 of the several pulleys 15, so that unless one of the clutcharms 20 is projected to encounter the hub of a sheave or pulley therewill be no rotation thereof. To accomplish the operation of coupling aclutch lever to a pulley 15, there is mounted in the hollow drivingpulley 24 a number of magnets 27, one for each clutch lever 21; thepoles of the magnets 27 bein so positioned that when the magnets areenergized they will attract a re spective armature 28, pivotally hung at29 in the sides of the pulley 24; the armature upon oscillating underthe attraction of a magnet will engage the radially extending respectivelever arm 23 and thus rock the lever 21 and throw the clutch face 20thereof outwardly so that during the rotation of the shaft 16 upon theenergization of the driving motor 26, the actuated clutch lever will becoupled to the respective pulley 15 by the entrance of the face 20 ofsaid lever into the aperture 19 of the drum. This coupling of anyparticular clutch device and its respective curtain pulley 15 will causethe winding of the curtain cord 12 of the selected curtain and therebydraw this froi'n concealed position into view in the casing 2. When theclutch mechanism energizing current is discontinued, so that the lever21 is freed from the influence of the magnet 27, it will automaticallydrop back or disengage itself from the opening 19 as soon as the tensionof the winding spring in the automatic roller 4 is sufficient to cause areactionary movement of the pulley 15 upon the shaft 16, so that thefrictional contact between the lever and walls of the opening isrelieved.

In order to obviate any tendency of uneven winding of the two ends ofthe curtain cord 12 on its winding pulley 15, we have provided that thebight 13 of the cord can play back and forth in the stiffening rod 10 ofthe curtain and thus insure that the latter will be drawn down evenly.

Having so far described the mounting and operation of exposing a curtain3 to view, it will now be in order to explain the releasing mechanism.

Each of the curtain stiiiener bars 10 is provided at its central portionwith a dartshaped bolt 30, which when moved down ward toward itslowermost position by the winding action of the curtain cord 12 willenter a suitable restraining or locking device which is designed totemporarily hold the exposed sheet or curtain 3 a predetermined time.This locking device is shown at Fig. 3 in the present instance ascomprising a pair of bars 81 which extend from the front to the back andin the lower portion of the casing 2; the bars being adapted to spreador separate in suitable guide slots 82 formed in suitable standards 33,in which the link pivots 34; of each of the lock levers 31 are pivotallymounted; springs 35 being provided and reacting upon the downwardlyturned ends of the locking levers 31 to hold the same in close parallelrelation. as the dart or lock point 30 of a curtain approaches theyieldable lock bars or levers 31 it will spread the same against thereaction of the closing springs 35 and the continued downward movementof the dart 30 will be suiiicient to allow the lock bars 31 to snaptoward each other again over the contracted shoulders of the dart bolt30 and thereby effectively hold the exposed curtain down against thetension of its winding roller 4.

As each curtain or sheet 3 is provided with a suitable subject-matter orinsignia, which is shown in Fig. 1 as consisting of the letter 7, it isdesirable that a suitable illuminating circuit or system be provided forrendering the sign of value and use at night, and to that end aplurality ot electric lights 86 are mounted in suitable position in oron the casing 2; these being connected by suitable lead wires 37, one ofwhich is connccted to a common contact bar 88 at the lower portion ofone side of the casing, Fig. 1, and the other of which, 39, is led outof the casing at a suitable point. This circuit is closed when a curtainis drawn downwardly and its locking device engages the cooperativelevers or bars 31, and as the bar 10 engages the brush plate 38 thecurrent will enter the wire 37, pass through contact plate 38, bar 10 ofthe curtain, thence through the bearing 33 when the lock members areengaged and travel along a wire connection 40 to the light series 36 andout at 39.

Thus it will be seen that the lock device utilized with the doublefunction of cooperating with the lock structure 31 for holding thecurtain in exposed position and also completing the illuminating circuitby the energization of the lamps through the medium of the circuitclosing bar 10, when the latter engages the brush bar 88, which iscommon to all of the curtains 3.

For the release of a curtain after it has been drawn down and istemporarily locked by the device 31, as another curtain is being drawndown after selection by the clutch ing of its respective pulley 15 withthe driv ing shaft 16, the downwardly moving curtain is adapted toencounter a trip bar 41, which is shown in detail in Fig. 8 as mountedin the path of movement of one end'oi the stiffening bar 10; the tripbar ll being connected by a cord or other suitable equivalent 42 to theexpander 43, which is shown as comprising a V-shaped lug or wedgeadapted to be drawn downwardly between the separable bars 31, whichlatter when spread the requisite distance will release such curtain asmay have been previously drawn down and locked at its dart bolt 30. Itwill be seen then, that as one curtain is being drawn down to exposedposition it will cause the operation oi the trip bar ell, which iscommon to all of the curtains, and this latter will. operate to forcethe wedgeshaped expander l?) against the curtain restrainers 31 andrelease a curtain therefrom before the downwardly moving curtain is infully exposed position.

As there are a plurality of curtains in each casing or panel 2 of asign-board, it is desirable that any one of the curtains may beselected, either manually or automatically, for the display of thematter on each curtain, and this control of the operation of the curtaindisplaying mechanism is shown diagrannnatically in Fig. l as comprisinga key 44. of which there is one for each eurtain; the key beingpivotally mounted and adapted to be depressed so as to throw a circuitcloser or switch 4L5 into electrical contact with a common conductor bar46 ex tending along beneath the several keys and to which a feed wire47, from a suitable sourcev of supply, is connected. The feed wire 47 isshown as wound in series upon a. magnet 48 which is adapted to attract alock bar 49 upon the closing of the circuit, that the bar will swinginto such position with relation to the Several keys 44-. that the onedepressed will be cleared in its lower most position while the remainingkeys are locked against downward movement, so that no two keys can bepressed down at one time to energize more than one curtain loweringcircuit at once, so long as the circuit is closed at 51-52. lVhen a keyat is actuated to close the circuit at the switch a the current from theline a? traverses a continuing wire 50, which is shown as led into thecasing 2 and connected to a contact piece 51, one oi which is shown inFig. 4, and which is normally pressed into electrical contact with acomplementary fixed contact 52 by a bell-crank 58 movable on a pivot54:, one end of the bell-crank 58 projecting into the bifurcated end ofan actuator 55, of which there is one for each curtain 3, all beingmounted upon a suitable pivot device 56. Current traverses the closedcontacts 5l52, passes over the latter outwardly over a line 57 where itis transmitted through a rotary sliding contact device 58; said devicecomprising a disk mounted and insulated on the shaft 17 which carriesthe sheaves or pulleys 15. There is one rotary disk 58 for each curtain3 and for each magnet 27; each of these latter being connected by arespective wire 59 to its respective disk 58, so that upon the closingof the circuit at the switch 45 by the operation of a key 44, thecurrent will traverse the several wires just described and ultimatelyenergize such magnet. 27 as is in the circuit of a selected key,whereupon the energized magnet will draw over its respective armature 28and this in turn will throw the lever arm 28, rock thelever 21, andthrow its clutch face 20 into cooperative engagement with such pulley 15as is connected to the curtain 3 to be exposed.

The several magnets 27 are each joined by terminal wires 60 to theadjacent portion of the pulley 24, so that the latter becomes a commonconductor in conjunction with the supporting frame and bearing; currentbe ing tapped off as from the bearing 18 by a wire 61, which is shown inFig. 1 as connected in series to a magnet 62, for control ling a switch63, which is mounted in the circuit of the driving motor 26. From theforegoing it will be seen that the motor 26 and the clutch operatingmagnet 27 will be energized practically simultaneously, so that thepower will be delivered from the motor to drive the pulley 24 instantlyupon the clutching operation by the actuation of the clutch lever 21.

As soon as the downwardly moving curtain encounters the switch 55, whichis mounted in its path, the latter will be depressed suflicientlyagainst the reaction of its spring 55 to throw the circuit breaker orcrank 53 and allow the yieldable contact member 51 to spring fromengagement with the coacting fixed contact 52 and thus operate to breakthat particular curtain lowering circut which is energizing the selectedmagnet 27 As it is possible by providing a suflicient number of curtains3 to afford the successive display of a sufficient number of letters ofthe alphabet to spell words, in which event it would be desirable torelease one of the locked curtains without drawing down another merelyfor the operation of the curtain release trip 11, we have providedelectrical means for operating the curtain releasing device 43 whichcomprises in the present instance a magnet 64, Fig. 2, the armature 65of which is adapted to engage the expander 43 and actuate the same to release a restrained curtain; the magnet Gal being connected by a wire 66having a cir cuit closer 67 which is adapted to be act-uacted by thespace key 68 forming one of the key-board in which the several keys 4%are arranged; the switch or circuit closer 67 being adapted to engage,when depressed, the common contact bar 46 of the feed line 17.

Thus it will be seen that by the actuation of any key 44 its respectivecurtain will be drawn into exposed position and locked by therestraining device 31, whereby the curtain can be held exposed a desiredlength of time, and may be released at will by the operator uponpressure of the space key (38, which will close the circuit of themagnet 6%; which being energized causes the actua tion of the expander13 to release the restrained curtain.

The wiring shown in Figs. 12 is such as would be used when but one panelor casing 2 is utilized for exhibition or signaling purposes; theseveral keys 1 1 providing for the energizing of the clutch operatingmagnets 27 and the motor switch magnet 62 to cause the drawing down ofany particular curtain, but it is desirable to provide means forsuccessively operating individual curtains of a multiplicity of panelswhen these are arranged in suitable numbers and arrangement so as toafford a sign-board or signaling apparatus of suflicient or greatcapacity; several sign-boards being indicated diagrammatically in Fig.8, and when several such panels are arranged for cooperation it isdesirable that certain curtains in each panel may be pulled down orexposed in given order in successive panels, for instance for thespelling of words and the display of news items, by the exposure ofcurtains in each panel bearing the proper letter to complete the words.

To that end in Fig. 8 there is shown a keyboard in which severalmanually operable keys 4A: are arranged; the feed wires 47-61 beingengageable by a switch 65 which tap buss lines 66 and 67 connectible toa suitable source of supply.

lVhen there are a plurality of the sign panels or sections 2 combined ina sign-board, the leading out wire 61 of each is led to an automaticswitch or stepper device 70 having contact points 71, one for each panel2, and over which is successively movable a circuit closing switch orblade 72 connected to a ratchet wheel 7 3 which is actuated in onedirection by a magnetic pawl 74, so that the blade 72 is carriedsuccessively from one contact point 71 to another around the device 70;the stepper operation being automatic and coincident with the closing ofa circuit in one panel as #1, Fig. 8, so that upon the manual operationof another key 44L at the key-board, the circuit will be thrown intopanel #2, by reason of the shift of the circuit closer 72, to thecontact point 71 or the stepper 70 related to #2 panel, and so onsuccessively according to the number of panels in the sign-board. Whensubject-matter, whether an advertisement comprising words or pictures,or whether a news item, is to be displayed on the sign-board by themanual. operation of the keys ll, switches 75, Fig. 8, which are mountedin the several wires 50 which lead to the circuit closer 51 of therespective panels, are closed, so that the circuit is from a key switch45 over the wire 50, through switch 74C to circuit closer 51, throughthe clutch operating magnet 27, and motor switch magnet 62, and by wire61 to the respective contact button 71 of the stepper 70, returningthence through the brush 72 over the leading out wire 61 to switch 65.

When the curtains of but one panel are to be operated successively, thecurrent is passed directly to the circuit line 61 so that the brush 72will remain constantly on the contact point 71 of the particular panel,the curtains of which are to be actuated but when curtains of aplurality of the panels are to be utilized, then the current is runthrough the wire 64 to the brush 7 2 by closing a switch 76, whichcarries the current to a magnet 77, which when energized attracts themagnetic pawl 74 of the stepper 70 and upon the breaking of the circuitin the magnet 77 and after the exposure of the curtain of a particularlyselected panel, then a spring 7 8 will actuate the pawl 7e and thelatter turns the stepper brush one step around to the next successivecontact point 71.

If it be desired to test any one of a number of panel sections as#1#2#3, the operator simply brings the stepper brush 72 to the contactpoint 71 of the stepper 70 to such position as will energize the panelto be tested, and then throws the switch 7 6 so as to out out thestepper magnet 77 and throw in a parallel line 6 1- which will becomethe con'unon return line for all of the magnets in the selected panel.

A further very important object of the present invention is to provideelectrical means for automatically simultaneously changing curtains of aplurality of panels or sections #1-#2-#3, etc, of a sign board withoutthe attention of the operator; the exposed curtains being retained invisible position a desired length of time and a shift of curtains beingproduced, to expose another sign or other subject-matter, as desired. Tothat end suitable wiring and means is utilized for energizing theseveral magnets of each panel so that there will be a simultaneouschange in each panel of curtains for the display of thedesiredsubject-matter; and when this system is in operation the switch75, Fig. 8, is disconnectedso as to cut out the circuit including thewires 50 of the key-board and the common line 61. When the feed switch 75 is cut out, the circuit from the several wires 50 of each panel iscompleted by traversing respective plug strips 80, of which there is onefor each cur tain in a panel or box 2; the plug strips 80 being providedwith a suitable number of apertures 81, preferably in number equal tothe number of panels in the sign-board, and in the apertures 81 of eachplug strip there is adj ustable the terminals of plug lines 82, theopposite ends of which are electrically connected to contacts 83 ofanother automatic stepper 8%, of which there is one for each panel, andeach of which steppers is provided with a number of contact points 83,equal to the number of displays; the several stoppers 8% havingrespective rotary brushes 85 adapted to be shifted step by step over thecontacts 83 by the respective energization of magnets 86 operative uponmagnetic pawls 87 engaging ratchets 88 attached to the stepper brush 85.

From the stepper brush 85 there is led a conductor 89 which is common toall of the automatic steppers 84, and terminates with a contact 90engageable by a switch which also closes a circuit, including a feedwire 92 connected to a multiple blade switch 93, which when closedengages the return wires 94 to which the lead-out common wires 61 ofeach panel are connected.

When the key-board of keys 4H is to be utilized, the operator closes aswitch 95 which taps into the feed busses 66--67 and closes one circuitthrough wires 96, connected in multiple to a magnet 97 which 0peratesand closes the switch 75; this being locked closed by a latch 98 andsimultaneously with the closing of the switch 7 5 for manual operationof the sign panels a circuit is also closed through a branch 96 from theopen circuit wires 96 to a magnet 99, which throws open the switch 93 ofthe automatic circuits and thus breaks the circuit from the wires 8992;the switch 93 being held open, while the switch 7 5 is closed, by alatch 100.

"When the sign-boardapparatus is to be used for automatic operation andthe several automatic steppers 84: utilized and the keyboard 44 thrownout of circuit, the operator momentarily closes an open circuitincluding a switch 101 connected to the buss wires 6667, and wires 102in which are mounted. a plurality of magnets 103, one of which 0peratesto pull latch 100 to release the switch 93 and permits its closing, andanother of which operates to pull latch 98 and permit the automaticopening of the switches 75.

The magnets 86 of each stepper 8-fl are connected in multiple to wires105, in which is mounted a circuit closer 106, automatically closed by asuitable device or mechanism, here shown as a cam 107 rotativelyoperated by a motor 108; the cam 107 being of suitable design andadapted to close the circuit in the wires 105 at suitable predeterminedintervals; the wires 105 being connected to the buss lines 6667 andcontrolled by a switch 109. The motor 108 is connected to the buss lines66-437 by cir cuit wires 110 in which there is a switch 111. Theoperation of the automatic system is as follows:

Current is delivered to the motor 108 over the feed wires 110; motion istransmitted to the circuit closing mechanism 107 from the motor 108 andthe circuit closer 106 operated in predetermined time, so that upon theclosing of the circuit at 106 the several stepper magnets 86 will beenergized, and the stepper brushes 85 simultaneously advanced insuccessive steps in predetermined order from one contact 83 of thesteppers to another, and thus complete simultaneously circuits throughsuch wires 506% of each panel board as will be determined by the adjustment oit plug wires 82 in the plug strips 80 of the circuit wires50; it being understood that the operator has previously so set the plugwires 82 in the steppers 80 that with a given number of panels therewill be simultaneously completed in such selected panels, circuits whichwill draw down in each panel a curtain bearing a desired charactor orsubjectanatter for the display either of a word, letter or pictorialillustration.

In Fig. 9 there is shown a small chart in which with three panels inoperation the first setting of the plug wires 82 will pro dues in thepanels #1#2-#3 the letters CAB; this being accomplished by theadjustment of a plug wire 82 in the plug strip 80, which is correlatedto curtain C of panel #1, and for panel #2 a plug wire is adjusted inplug strip 80 which is correlated to the curtain bearing character A inpanel #2, and for panel #3 a plug wire 82 is adjusted in the plug strip80 which is correlated to the letter B of panel #3; the plug wires beingconnected to such respective contact points 83 of their steppers 8. sothat when the brushes 85 of the steppers 84: simultaneously arrive atgiven stepper points 83, circuits will be instantly completed in each ofthe panels for the actuation of the mechanism necessary to draw down orexpose the curtains involved in the spelling of the selected word.

In Fig. 10 is shown an arrangement of wiring and control mechanismwhereby the sign-board can be controlled from any distance by acomparatively few individual wires considering the great number ofcombinations which may be set up or displayed. This control comprises acommon lead wire 61 from all the panels as #1, #2 and #3 and a lead 47".The magnets of the panels have individual wires 50, which may form acable, terminating in plug plates 80 with holes 81 and located at anydistance from the sign. For setting up a given display, plug lines 82are connectible at one end to selectable letter plates 80, the otherends terminating in brushes 114, of which there is one for each panel,The feed wire 17 is connected to a circuit closer 115, having contactsmovable into engagement with the brushes 11a to complete the circuitover wires 82*, 50 to panel magnets 27, 62, thence out over 61. Theremay be as many circuit closers 115, with respective plug wires 82 asthere are to be display combinations.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent is 1. A changeable sign structure, comprising incombination, a series of automatically disappearing display sheets,means governable to select the sheets in any order and spread the same,a normally set locking de vice for engaging any spread sheet to hold itin open position, and means for releasing the first sheet when a secondsheet is in process of extension. I

2. A changeable sign structure, comprising in combination, a series ofdisappearing display sheets, a guide bar carried by each sheet, means tospread said sheets, means to be engaged by said guide bar to lock thesheet in extended position, an illuminating circuit for the displaysheets, and means also to be engaged by said bar to complete saidcircuit, when the sheet is locked in extended position.

A changeable sign structure, comprisin g in combination, plurality ofnormally retracted display members, means for selectively disclosingsaid members, a means for locking any of said members in extendedposition, means operative by each member for opening said locking meansto release a previously extended member, and a means for independentlyopening said locking means.

1. A sign display apparatus, comprising in combination with a casing, aplurality or curtains rolled into the upper portion of said casing, arotative shaft mounted in the latter, means for driving said shaft, aseries of normally idle take-up devices on said shaft, cords connectingsaid take up devices and said curtains, and a plurality of cl tchelements carried by the shaft driving means for selective rigidconnection of said take-up devices with said shaft.

5. A sign display apparatus, comprising in combination with a casing, aplurality of curtains rolled into the top of said casing, a plurality ofspools corresponding to said curtains, a rotatiye shaft carrying saidspools, cords connecting each of said ourtains with one of said spools,clutch mechanism for connecting any of said spools to said shaft,electro-magnetic means for op erating said clutches, and means foract-uating said shaft and supporting the electromagnetic means.

6. In a sign display apparatus, a plurality of curtains, a plurality ofreels corresponding to said curtains, cords connecting said curtains andreels, a common mounting for said reels, a plural clutch mechanism forthe rigid locking of any of said reels to said common mounting and adriving means for said common mounting and supporting the clutchmechanism.

7. Ina display apparatus, movable, disappearing display members eachwith a lock member which is an electrical conductor, a locking devicecooperable with said member, and an electrical illuminating systemconnected to said device and closeable by said member when engaging saiddevice.

8. In a sign display apparatus, a plurality of curtains, a casing,rollers for holding said curtains in concealment in said casing, acurtain exposing mechanism including a plurality of reels, a windingconnection between each curtain and a corresponding reel, means foractuating said reels to draw said curtains into exposed position, ameans for temporarily locking each curtain in ex tended position and ameans controlled and actuated by each of the curtains when moving toexposed position for releasing a pre vionsly extended curtain.

9. In a changeable display or sign apparatus, a plurality ofautomatically disappearing display members arranged to move in closeparallel planes, means for selectively disclosing any of said members,locking mechanism common to all of said mem bers, means operative byeach member for actuating said mechanism for the release of a lockedmember, and an. instrumentality for operating said mechanismindependently of said means for the release of a disclosed lockedmember.

10. In a sign display apparatus, roller curtains, a suitable casingwith. bearings therefor and guides for the curtains, said curtains beingarranged. for movement in compact, parallel relation, curtain cords, onefor each curtain, a curtain exposing mechanism including a plurality ofcord reels, one for each curtain cord, a driving shaft upon which theseveral cord reels are loosely mounted, means for driving said shaft anda clutch mechanism whereby any of the reels may be selectively clutchedto said shaft.

11. In a sign display apparatus, roller curtains, a suitable casing withbearings therefor and guides for the curtains, said curtains beingarranged for movement in compact, parallel relation, curtain cords, onefor each curtain, a curtain exposing mechanism including a plurality ofcord reels, one for each curtain cord, a revoluble shaft carrying saidreels, means for selectively connecting said reels and said shaft, and alocking device cooperative with each of said curtains when in the fullyexposed position for holding the same temporarily.

12. In a sign display apparatus, roller curtains, a suitable casing withbearings therefor and guides for the curtains, said curtains beingarranged for movement in compact, parallel relation, curtain cords, onefor each curtain, a curtain exposing mechanism including a plurality ofcord reels, one for each curtain cord, a locking device cooperative witheach of said curtains when in the fully exposed position for holding thesame temporarily, and a device controlled and actuated by each of thecur tains when moving to exposed position for tripping the lockingdevice to release a previously engaged curtain.

18. In a display sign apparatus, a plurality of automaticallydisappearing members, each having a pulley cord with a bight which runsloosely through a portion of the curtain for the equalizing of pulleyeffect thereupon, and awinding mechanism whereby any one of the curtainsmay be drawn into exposed position.

14. In a display sign apparatus, a plurality of automaticallydisappearing members, each having a pulley cord with a bight which runsloosely through a portion of the curtain for the equalizing of pulleyeffect thereupon, and awinding mechanism whereby any one of the curtainsmay be drawn into exposed position, said mechanism comprising a shaft, aplurality of winding reels loosely mounted upon said shaft and to whichrespective curtain cords are connected, and a clutch mechanism wherebyany one of said reels may be selectively coupled to said shaft for thewinding of the desired curtain cord for exposing a curtain.

15. In a display sign apparatus, a plurality of automaticallydisappearing members, each having a pulley cord with a bight which runsloosely through a portion of the curtain for the equalizing of pulleyeffect tl'iereupen, and a winding mechanism where by any one of thecurtains may be drawn into exposed position, said mechanism comprising ashaft, a plurality of winding reels loosely mounted upon said shaft andto which respective curtain cords are connected, and a clutch mechanismwhereby any one of said reels may be selectively coupled to said shaftfor the winding of the desired curtain cord for exposing a curtain, andsaid clutch mechanism being adapted to automatically disengage from itsrespective reel when the winding tension of the curtain cord reaches apredetermined degree.

16. In a display sign apparatus, a plurality of disappearing displaymembers, means for selectively exposing any of said members, a lockdevice for temporarily restraining the selected member in exposedposition, a trip device for releasing the restrained device from saidlock, and a trip mechanism controlled by a member moving into exposedposition for releasing a re strained member independently of theoperation of said device.

17. In a display sign apparatus, a plurality of concealed displaymembers, a means associated with each display member for selectivelyexposing said members, a locking device for temporarily restraining theselected member in exposed position, and a trip device for releasing therestrained member from said locking device, said device comprising amember operative upon the locking device and actuating means operativelyconnected to said locking device and disposed in a position to beactuated by any one of the display members.

18. In an electro-mechanical day and night sign apparatus, a pluralityof disappearing display members, guide-ways in which said members aremovable, means for moving the members to concealed position, a mechanismfor moving said members into an exposed position consisting of a commondrive shaft and winding devices carried thereby, and a selectivemechanism for and controlling the movement of any particular member bysaid mechanism, said selective mechanism comprising individual normallyopen coupling devices for connecting said winding devices to said driveshaft and keys for controlling and selecting each of said couplingmembers.

19. A sign display apparatus, comprising a display media, consisting ofa plurality of movable display members, means operative to move saidmembers to a concealed position, an electric motor and a shaft driventhereby, a plurality of reels loosely mounted upon said shaft, aconnection be tween each of said reels and a respective member,selective clutch mechanism arranged in part within the shaft forconnecting said reels to the shaft whereby said connection can bev-round upon the reel to moveits respective member to an exposedposition, and a control instrumentality for said clutches whereby anyone of the same may be actuated to connect its reel with the operatingshaft.

20. A apparatus involving a plurality of members bearing suitablesubjectmat-ter, means for retracting said members to a concealedposition. a plurality of winding drums, one for each of said members,and

a cord connection between each of said drums and its respective member,a power shaft upon which said drums are loosely mounted, and meansarranged in part within the shaft for connecting said drums to saidshaft.

21.1%. sign apparatus involving a plurality of members bearing suitablesubjectmatter, means for retracting said members to a concealedposition, a plurality of winding drums, one for each of said members,and a cord connection between each of said drums and its respectivemember, a power shaft upon which said drums are loosely mounted, meansarranged in part within the shaft for connecting said drums to saidshaft, and selective instrumentalities for controlling the actuation ofsaid means.

22. A sign apparatus involving a plurality of members bearing suitablesubjectmatter, means for retracting said members to a concealedposition, a plurality of wind ing drums, one for each of said members,and a cord connection between each of said drums and its respectivemember, a power shaft upon which said drums are loosely mounted, andmagnetically controlled means arranged in part within the shaft forconnecting said drums to said shaft.

23. A sign apparatus involving a plurality of members bearing suitablesubjectmatter, means for retracting said members to a concealedposition, a plurality of wind ing drums, one for each of said members,and a cord connection between each of said drums and its respectivemember, a power shaft upon which said drums are loosely mounted,magnetically controlled means arranged in part within the shaft forconnecting said drums to said shaft, and electric selectiveinstrumentalities for controlling the actuation of said means.

24-. In a sign display apparatus, a plurality of movable displaymembers, means operative to move the display members to a concealedposition, a mechanism for moving each of said members to an exposedposition, said mechanism including a power shaft and cord connectionsbetween said power shaft and each of said members and normallydisengaged from the shaft, and electrically controlled means arranged inpart within the shaft for selecting and looking said connections to saidpower shaft.

25. In a sign display apparatus, a plurality of movable display members,means operative to move the display members to a concealed position, amechanism for moving each of said members to an exposed position, saidmechanism includin a power shaft and cord connections between said powershaft and each of said members and normally disengaged from the shaft,electrically controlled means for selecting and connecting saidconnections to said power shaft, a mo tor driving the power shaft and anelectrically controlled switch in the motor circuit and controlled bysaid. means.

26. In a sign display apparatus, a plurality of movable display members,means operative to move the display members to a concealed position, amechanism for moving each of said members to an exposed position, saidmechanism including a power shaft and connections between said powershaft and each of said members and normally disengaged from the shaft,electri- :ally controlled means for selecting and connecting saidconnections to said power shaft, a motor driving the power shaft, anelectrically controlled switch in the motor circuit and controlled bysaid means, and a circuit breaker disposed in the path of each movablemember and adapted when engaged by the latter in the exposed position torender said selective means temporarily inoperative.

27. In a sign apparatus, a plurality of movable members each bearingsuitable subject-matter, means for retracting said members to aninconspicuous position, means connected to each of said members formoving the same to a conspicuous position, a driving mechanism for saidmeans and including a clutch for each of said means, and an electricalcontrol system for said clutches and said driving mechanism, saidcontrol system including a key-board with keys for each of said displaymembers, electric circuit closers, one for and operated by each key toclose an individual circuit related to each of said display members,said individual circuit including a magnet controlling a respectiveclutch and also including a magnet controlling the operation of thepower mechanism, and also a circuit breaker mounted in the path ofmovement of its respective display member, so that when the latter ismoved to display position the individual circuit of the selectivemechanism is deenergized.

28. In a sign apparatus, a plurality of movable members each bearingsuitable subject-matter, means for retracting said members toaninconspicuous position, means connected to each of said members formoving the same to a conspicuous position, a driving mechanism for saidmeans and including a clutch for each of said. means, an electricalcontrol system for said clutches and said driving mechanism, saidcontrol system including a keyboard with keys for each of said displaymembers, electric circuit closers, one for and operated by each key toclose an individual circuit related to each of said display members,said individual circuit in eluding a magnet controlling a respectiveclutch and also including a magnet controlling the operation of thepower mechanism, and also a circuit breaker mounted in the path ofmovement of its respective display member so that when the latter ismoved to display position the individual circuit of the selectivemechanism is deenergized, and a universal key lock with anactuating-magnet for locking the several keys in one or the other of itspositions upon the closure of any circuit by an actuated key.

29. In a sign apparatus, a plurality of movable members each bearingsuitable subject-matter, means for retracting said members to aninconspicuous position, means connected to each of said members formoving the same to a conspicuous position, a driving mechanism for saidmeans and including a clutch for each of said means, an electricalcontrol system for said clutches and said driving mechanism, saidcontrol system including a keyboard with keys for each of said displaymembers, electric circuit closers. one for and operated by each key toclose an individual circuit related to each of said display members,said individual circuit including a magnet controlling a respectiveclutch and also including a magnet controlling the operation of thepower mechanism, and also a circuit breaker mounted in the path ofmovement of its respective display member so that when the latter ismoved to display position the individual circuit of the selectivemechanism is deenergized, and a universal automatically disengaging keylock with an actuating magnet for locking the several keys in one or theother of its positions upon the closure of any circuit by an actuatedkey.

80. A sign apparatus, including a plurality of groups of members, eachbearing suitable subject-matter and which members are arranged incompact parallel relation, means for retracting said members to aninconspicuous position, mechanism for moving the members to.aconspicuous position and including electrically controlled clutches, onefor each of said members, electrical cir cuits for each of saidclutches, power mechanism for each group of display members, a magneticswitch for controlling the operation of said mechanism, and which iscommon to the electrical circuit of each group, said electrical circuitincluding a se lective circuit closer, and an electrically controlled.automatic device for successively electrically controlling the operationof disclosing the display members of said groups.

31. A signal comprising, in combination with a casing, indicatingcurtains mounted in the upper portion thereof and movable to displayposition across an aperture with which the casing is provided, a motor,a rotative shaft in operative connection with the motor, spools carriedon the shaft, cords attached to the curtains and the spoolsrespectively, clutch means cooperating with the respective spools forconnecting them severally to the rotative shaft, e1ectr0-mag- Intestimony whereof we have hereunto 10 nets having their zn'matures 1noperatlve reset our hands in the presence of two sublation with theclutch devices, respectlvely, scribing Witnesses.

and switches for controlling the circuit of ARTHUR E. LIAIDEN.

the motor and the respective circuit of each CARL SCHINDLER.

of the elect-ro-inagnets whereby operation of \VILLIAM D. NEVVH-OUSE.the motor may be initiated and any one of \Vituesses':

the curtains connected to the motor drawn A. LUGOT NEWHoUsE,

across the display aperture. M. E. MARDEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

